The smoke has cleared: Papa M has finally reappeared! Ballads of Harry Houdini (Thrill Jockey) is David Pajo’s latest bag of dirty tricks, revved up n’ ready for the big reveal next month. We’ll shut up (yeesh!) and get to the shredding though: “People’s Free Food Program” is here for all today.

Over a swirling bed of circus-like synth lines, Papa M constructs a shred-for-the-hills, golden-age guitarismo workout on “People’s Free Food Program” — burbling with notes of R’n’B, dub reggae and rich, Corinthian leather. As guitars flow backward and forward in heavy traffic, Papa struts with a thick-necked, indie-disco feel (no gold chain), his handiwork on the mixing board ensuring that the four-on-the-floor beats will get you out on the tiles and stepping for your lives.

If you caught the M band earlier this month with The Hard Quartet, you know it’s true: Papa’s back! Everyone else, believe it… Ballads of Harry Houdini is out November 22, 2024.